Self-leveling, storing, and dispensing apparatus



c. LARSEN 'SELF-LEVELING, STORING, AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 23, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR CARL LARSEN ZLMJM ATTORNEY Oct. 19, 1954 c. H. LARSEN 2,692,177

SELF-LEVELING, STORING, AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CARL H. LARSEN ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 19, 1954 UNITED STATES "rem OFFICE SELF-LEVELING, STORING, AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Carl H. Larsen, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey 11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to self-leveling, storing and dispensing apparatus and particularly to improvements for guiding, raising and lowering the material supporting platform.

Due to the expense of manufacturing self-leveling, storing and dispensing apparatus, there have been many instances where the unit could have served very advantageously in storing and displaying merchandise but the cost of such a unit has rendered it prohibitive for such use since the profit for each item stored in the dispensing apparatus is very small it would not be economically sound to use elaborate equipment for this purpose. Another difliculty has been in the case where compression springs have been used they have occupied so much room when in their compressed condition that usable storage space was lost.

An object of this invention is to provide a storing and self-leveling apparatus which will be of simple design, of low manufacturing cost and will have improved display facilities.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spring support which will permit the spring to telescope when in collapsed condition and which will enable the calibrated characteristics of the spring to be maintained while undergoing contraction or expansion.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear as the description of the particular physi cal embodiment selected to illustrate the invention progresses. In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, like characters of reference have been applied to corresponding parts throughout the several views which make up the drawings.

Fig. 1 is an isometric front elevation of the improved self-leveling, storing and dispensing apparatus,

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan View as seen through line 2-2 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the improved self-leveling, storing and dispensing apparatus,

Fig. 4 is a sectional rear view of the same mechanism as seen from line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional side elevation illustrating a modified form of a calibrated mechanism for counterbalancing the material carrying platform when it is in expanded position.

Fig. 6 is a partial side elevation partly in section showing the same modified elevating mechanism in telescoped position.

This invention is particularly well suited for dispensing relatively light weight material such as sanitary napkins, paper napkins and toilet tissues where it is necessary that the calibrating and supporting mechanism be very sensitive to slight changes in weight. The apparatus of course is equally adaptable for use in supporting articles of much greater weight.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 consists of a base [0, and an upright frame l2, which extends upwardly from one side of said base. The front and back sides of said upright I2 is enclosed by suitable materials such as sheet metal plates l4 and I6. The front plate it has an elongated slit I8 through which the platform supporting cantilever frame 20 extends. The upper end of the slit l8 forms a stop 2| which limits the extent to which the frame 20 can move upwardly.

A vertical post 22 is secured at the lower end to the base ill by suitable means such as the flange 24 and is secured at its upper end to the top 25 of the upright 12. The platform frame 20 is connected to a carriage 28 having rollers 30, 32 and 34 which roll against the vertical post 22 when guiding and supporting the platform 20 for free up and down movement.

The cantilever platform supporting frame 2|} is maintained in a horizontal position at all times due to the engagement of the rollers and 34 with the post 22.

A suitable elongated flexible member such as sprocket chain 36 is secured to the carriage 28 at one end and the other end is secured to the upper end of the upright l2. The sprocket chain 38 passes over a sprocket 38 mounted on the upper end 26 of the upright l2 and passes under and around the sprocket 40. The sprocket 40 supports a U-shaped bracket 42 to which is connected one end of a calibrated tension spring 44. The other end of the calibrated tension spring is connected to an anchor 46 attached to the base [0. The calibrated spring is of such design that it extends and contracts at a rate which is directly proportional to the weight of the material supported on the frame 20 to thereby maintain the upper layer of material supported on the platform 23 at a substantially constant predetermined level.

Suitable projections 54 and 56, preferably made of non-friction material are mounted in the far corners of the material supporting platform 20 and engage with the vertical guide channels 5! attached to the corner posts 48 and 50. This arrangement prevents the carrier from coming in contact with the side walls of the self-leveling dispenser and thus assures free and easy vertical .movement of the carrier. These bearings can be are connected to the upright frame I2 by suitable cross bars 55. These cross bars are wedge shaped as shown in Figure l to guide the articlesPtowards the center of the stack as the platform '23 moves upwardly when being. unloaded.

The corner posts 48 and 50 are provided with elongated channel strips 53 attached thereto to form channels to receive advertising literature 52. which it will be noted serves a dual purpose. This literature advertises the merchandise stored 'in the dispenser and simultaneously acts as an enclosure f or the dispenser.-. This enclosure. may .be

readily replaced. .to.. maintainthe advertising. lit: erature in .conformance. with the .current advertising, programs .of the.- concernsdisplaying and storing. their. merchandise in. the dispensen. This construction also saves material, saves weight and results in adispenser whichuis more economical to. constructso. that itiis economically feasible to. usesuch apparatusforstoring low profit mere chandise.

In Figs..5 andfi, I'haveshown a-modified form of my. inventionwherein a. carrier. 58.is raised and;v lowered. a... distance corresponding to the weight of.the..materialsupported thereon by a. compression spring. instead of'a.tension spring..

While a single. compression spring. may beused for..this purpose,..it may. bedesirable insome instances to have the springs-occupyaslittle space as possible whencompressed; This maybe readilyaccomplishedby using. aplurality. of. com.- pression. springs-arranged end..to.end.such as compression springs .60 fand. 621 The lower. calibratedspring is. supported. on. the. base '64 and carries at its upper end alsuitablespring support-.65.. This support may. consist of S'shaped hooksor-maybe in theform ofan oval ring. which hooks over-the top ofthe lower spring 62 such as support 65 as shown in Figs. Sand 6.

The-.lower end. of spring 60 restson this sup.- port .65'andfthe upper. end engageswith'the car.- rier platform 58.. Whenthe spring is totally compressedas in Fig. .6, one spring. telescopes inside oftheother spring. In the embodiment'used .to illustrate the invention, Lhave shown. .the upper spring 60 to beef smallensizethan the lower spring 62. If desiredithis arrangementcould be reversed andthe larger spring .could be placed on .top. This has the advantage that. aminimum.

of. space is .occupied by. the counterb'alancing mechanism and thereby. permits a sensitive cali-. brated .sprin to be .used where vertical storage distance is at a premium.'. This..is particularly important in such a unit as a freezing cabinet for. storing .frozen foods.

The..base 64 .has. an upright. 6'5 and a frame.

which is similar to the structure shown in Figs. 1 to. 4... The. carrier. platform .hasa. plurality of rollers 58,..10, Hand. which ride on a.vertical..

post 16. the. manner previously described.

Whenthe. modified form .of myinvention is used in. conjunctionwith a freezing cabinet the en-. closure walls liareeliminated. Onthe other hand when the. unit is used in the open the cardboardenclosure. 78 will be inserted -.in place'to keep the unit enclosed'andat the same time provide means for" locating" advertising" matter 4 in a place where it will be readily noticed by the public.

The invention above described may be carried in construction within the scope of the claims for the particular device selected to illustrate the invention .isbut one of many possible embodiments of the same. The invention, therefore,- is not to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. A -self-leveling, storing and dispensing apparatus-comprising, a rectangular base, an upright .extendinguptvardly from one side of said base, corner posts extending upwardly from the opposite side of saidzbase, connecting bars connecting the. upper. end of each of said corner posts with said upright, said bars being formed with ataper for deflecting articles coming in contact therewith towards the area between said bars, materialrsupporting.platform,. a...vertica-l column extending from said. basaalong. the. center. of said. upright,acarriage riding. on said column and connected to said .platformfor maintaining. saidplatform. horizontal whildpemnittingi said platform. te move freely. upandl .do-.wn,. a guide-for. maintainingflsaid platform substantially free from lateral :movement, and a-calibrated spring for counterbalancing. the weight ,of-. material sup: port-ed. on. .said material supporting. platform to. maintain the upper: layer. of: material. supported. thereon at aconstant levelbyloweringand raising-said. platform a. distance .;corresp.onding. .with. the weight of each vincrement...and.decrement... added to .andremoved from the platform.

ZVA selfrleveling storing .and.. dis'pensing... ap; paratus comprising, a.-.rectang.ular. base,..an- .up.-v right extending upwardly from one side of said, base, .corner posts..-extending.. upwardly from. the opposite side. :oflsaid .base,..connecting bars-con:

necting .theupper end of each .of, said cornerposts therewithtowardsthe area vbetween.said.bars,..

elongated; channels... extending. along. said. up

rights; corner. posts and. basesfor. receiving... flat sheets ofmaterial. such .as. advertising posters to enclose said apparatus, a material...supporting platform, a .vertioal columnlextending from ..said base along -.thecent.er of..s aid. upright. a lcarriage riding. on saidcolumn and connected to said.plat-.- form for. maintaining, said. platform horizontal while-permittingsaid platform to..move. freely up. and. down,. a- .guide. for maintaining said. plat.-. form. substantially. free. from. laterallmovemenhand a calibrated springfor.counterbalancing ,the.. weight of material. supported. on .said material supporting. platform. .tomaintain the upper layer. of material supported thereon at a constantleyel by lowering. and. raising said platform a distance corresponding with the weight ofeachaincrement...

a calibrated tension spring securedto -saidbase,'

a fiexible--memb'er *connected to said frame and passingover a pulley positioned adjacent the upper end of said post and means interconnecting the free end of said calibrated spring with said flexible member to maintain pressure on said member which is proportional to the distance said platform is depressed by the Weight of material supported thereon so as to maintain the top of the material supported thereon at a substantially constant level.

4. A self-leveling, storing and dispensing apparatus comprising a base, a cylindrical post extending upwardly from said base, a carriage having not less tahn three guide rollers which are horizontally and vertically spaced to travel up and down on opposite sides of and engaging said post at vertically spaced points on said post to maintain said carriage free from tilting, a platform extending laterally from the carriage riding on said post, vertical corner posts extending upwardly from said base adjacent the outward corners of said platform, a pulley mounted adjacent the upper end of said cylindrical post, an elongated fiexible member connected at one end to said carriage and passing over said pulley and connecting the other end to an anchor adjacent said pulley, a floating pulley supported in a loop formed in said elongated flexible member intermediate said anchor and said first named pulley, a calibrated tension spring connected at one end to said base and at the other end to said floating pulley to counterbalance the weight of the material supported on said platform, means mounted at the other edges of said platform to engage with said corner posts as the carriage platform moves up and down to prevent the carriage and platform from rotating relative to the cylindrical post by engaging with said corner posts.

5. A self-leveling, storing and dispensing apparatus comprising a rectangular base, a center post extending upwardly from one side of said base, corner posts extending upwardly from the opposite side of said base, means interconnecting the upper end of said corner posts with each other and with the upper end of said center post, a material supporting platform having a carriage which rides on said post, said carriage having a plurality of rollers engaging said post on opposite sides and at vertically and laterally spaced points, to maintain said platform horizontal and free from tilting as it moves up and down, a calibrated tension spring connected at one end to the base, elongated flexible elements connecting the other end of said calibrated spring to said carriage to counterbalance material supported on said material supporting platform to thereby maintain the upper layer of the material supported thereon at a substantially constant predetermined elevation, and pins extending outwardly from the corners of said platform which are adjacent to said corner posts to prevent said platform from rotating around said center post by engaging with said corner posts when said carriage is moved up and down by said calibrated spring to maintain the top of the material supported on said platform at a constant level by counterbalancing the weight supported thereon.

6. A self-leveling, storing and dispensing apparatus comprising a base, a post extending upwardly from said base, a horizontal platform movable up and down in front of said post, a carriage connected to said platform, rollers connected to said platform and engaging the front, rear, and lateral sides of said post to positively maintain said platform free from tilting while moving up and down, guide members mounted on said platform and engaging with stationary 6 means for maintaining said platform free from horizontal movement relative to said cylindrical guide post, and a calibrated spring interconnected between said platform and said base for contracting and expanding a distance correlated with the weight of the material supported on said platform so as to maintain the upper layer of said material at a constant level with respect to said upright.

'7. A self-leveling, storing and dispensing apparatus comprising a base, a fiat wall extending upwardly from one side of said base, said wall having a, slit extending vertically along the center of said upright, a vertical post positioned behind said slitted opening, a carriage, rollers mounted on said carriage and tracking on the front, rear, and sides of said post to maintain said platform free from tilting, a material supporting platform connected to and supported by said carriage for movement therewith up and down on said post, and a calibrated compression spring positioned between said platform and said base for counterbalancing material supported on said platform so as to lower and raise said platform a distance correlated with the weight of each increment and decrement of material added to and removed from that supported on the platform.

8. A self-leveling, storing and dispensing apparatus comprising, a base, a wall extending upwardly from one side of said base, said wall having a slit extending vertically along the center of said wall, a vertical post positioned behind said slitted opening, a carriage, rollers mounted on said carriage and tracking on the front, rear, and sides of said post to maintain said platform free from tilting, a material supporting platform connected to and supported by said carriage for movement therewith up and down on said post, and calibrated springs positioned between said platform and said base for counterbalancing material supported on said platform so as to lower and raise said platform a distance correlated with the weight of each increment and decrement of material added to and removed from that supported on the platform, said compression springs being formed with two different diameters to permit one compression spring to telescope inside of the other when said springs are compressed.

9. A self-leveling, storing, and dispensing apparatus comprising a base and a post extending upwardly from said base, a cantilever carriage platform, a plurality of wheels mounted on said carriage platform to engage said post at vertically spaced points as well as the front, rear, and sides of said post to maintain said carriage platform horizontal and free from tilting at all times when traveling up and down on said post, a calibrated spring interconnected between a stationary part of said apparatus and said carriage platform to counterbalance material supported on said carriage platform, and means for maintaining said carriage platform free from circular movement relative to said post when moving up and down.

10. A self-leveling, storing, and dispensing apparatus comprising, a rectangular base, a vertical post extending upwardly from one side of said base, corner posts extending upwardly from the opposite side of said base, a material supporting platform, a cantilever material supporting platform connected to said carriage and extending laterally beyond said carriage and post, a carriage, vertically spaced rollers mounted on said carriage and riding on the front, sides, and rear ofzsaid post tor.mamtairrlsaidi,platform hormone talgami-zfr'ee: from tilting zwhilezmovingzfreelyrum and :down: on :saidipost; meamamaintaininggsaid: platform. substantially'.- free; from rotary? movew ment raround :saidipost; antka'az: calibrated. spring: for counterbalancing the weight '.:o-f-1,the@ material v supported. on :sai-d.::material lsupportingc platform to; maintain: the upper layer of material sup-;- ported at a constant level by loweringgand rais ingcgsaidcplatform ,a:distancezcorrespond-ihg with the- 1. Weight of: each. increments. and: decrementr.

added to :and :removed ifromzihex platform;

11 4 A: selfeleveling; storing; andz-d-ispensing; ape paratusmomprising'," a: rectangular base; a: post? extending: upwardly from: oneeside; of :sa-id: basee.

cornerrp-osts extending; upwardly from :thecoppoe I site side :of said-base; e1ongated:channe1s; .extende ings supward-ly *from': said? base at or :-receiving :flat sheets nhmaterialasuolnas advertisingrposters to:

enclosersaid. apparatusga: cantilever material sup-:

porting.platform:accarriage supporting said.- plat form; vertically. spaced :rollers rmoun'ted: r on saido carriagmto :ridemxzthe frontrreanand zsides {0E3 said-'2 post to; maintain: said platform; free from:

til-ting; Wh-ile.epermitting saidcarriage-;-.-andn:plate fotm; to. move: freely up; and 1 down,- meansigfdrr' maintainmg; said; platformsubstantially freew from. rotary, movement; about said. post; ancta; calibrated spring. for oounterbalancmg-the weight;

of vmaterial supported on said-platformto:

tam the upper layer of-rmaterial supported thereon on a constant level by lowering and raising; saicl platform. adistance'conesppnd ingswithxthe weight :of; each increment and. decrement added-l;

tofland tremoved" fromthe platform-n References Cited in the-fileoffthis'patent".

UNITED STATES PATENTS:- 

